Use of Rituximab in Pediatric Nephrology: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis from 2003 to 2024

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research status of RTX in pediatric renal disease treatment through bibliometric and visualization analyses, thereby enabling researchers to swiftly identify research hotspots and anticipate future trends.

The Web of Science Core Collection served as the primary database for literature retrieval. We selected English-language papers and reviews relevant to our research topic and extracted pertinent information. The data were subsequently subjected to a multifaceted and multilevel bibliometric analysis utilizing VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix.

Our search yielded and screened a total of 525 articles. The analysis revealed a consistent increase in publication outputs and citation frequency in this field from 2003 to 2024, with contributions from 2,797 researchers across 54 countries and regions, and 966 academic institutions. The United States led in article output, with 105 publications, and Assistance Publique Hopitaux Paris in France emerged as a prominent research institution, with 49 publications. Within the research domain, approximately 52 core authors were identified, with one author emerging as the most influential and prolific, having published 31 papers and accumulated 1,258 citations. Pediatric Nephrology was the most frequently publishing journal in this field, with 127 papers, nearly a quarter of the total. A paper in The Lancet, titled "Pediatric nephrology," gained significant attention in the field. Additionally, a publication in The Lancet entitled "Rituximab for childhood-onset, complicated, frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome: A multidisciplinary approach" received notable recognition. The most frequently cited article over the past two decades was "Rituximab for childhood-onset, complicated, frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial." Notably, the most frequently cited key words in recent years included "nephrotic syndrome," "focal segmental glomerulosclerosis," and terms related to "mycoplasma," as well as "mycophenloate-mofetil," "cyclosporine," "multicenter," and "double-blind," with nephrotic syndrome being the most discussed disease.

This study reveals a consistent increase in publication output and citation frequency in this field from 2003 to 2024, highlighting the significant impact of RTX in the global arena of pediatric renal disease treatment. These findings not only offer researchers a rapid grasp of current research hotspots but also provide a basis for predicting future research trends, further supporting the potential and significance of RTX in the treatment of pediatric renal diseases.